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The Sweet Faces of Down Syndrome: Hayden's Story

by WTE Community Moms on October 10, 2013

WTE Community Moms

About the Author

The What to Expect Community Moms are always in the know! Moms from all over the world have joined the What to Expect groups to discuss hot topics, parenting trends, and the best products, recipes, and activities.

About the Blog

WhatToExpect.com supports Word of Mom as a place to share stories and highlight the many perspectives and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. However, the opinions expressed in this section are those of individual writers and do not reflect the views of Heidi Murkoff of the What to Expect brand.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so we're taking the opportunity to celebrate some sweet faces behind this condition with a personal story each week. With more than 400,000 people currently living with this condition in the United States and 6,000 American babies diagnosed every year, it wasn't hard to find some inspirational stories in our own What to Expect community.

Hayden's Story

Shannon G. is the proud mom of a sweet three-year-old girl, Hayden. Though Shannon was young and still finishing high school when she found out she was pregnant, she was excited about starting her new life as a mom.

"We didn't know she had Down syndrome until six months after she was born," shared Shannon. While Hayden was at daycare, she suffered a seizure, which led doctors to her diagnosis. "I was in shock and disbelief."

Shannon admitted to feeling overwhelmed with the realization that life may be different than she originally envisioned. "I talked to Hayden and told her 'we would dream new dreams' and not to worry. I know she didn't understand anything I was saying, but it was so comforting for me to just tell her how much I loved her. "

Hayden, now three years old, is a beautiful and happy toddler who just started preschool. "Hayden hasn't had a seizure since her first hospital stay and has started special classes at a nearby elementary school. She's running, playing, talking, and doing everything the other children her age are doing." And on top of all the amazing milestones Shannon and Hayden are celebrating, they're welcoming a new baby to their family in May 2014.

"The best part about being the parent of a child with Down syndrome is watching my child learn in her own special way. Hayden is so unique and she is truly my angel. She changes the lives of everyone that she comes in contact with — which is an amazing feeling."

To learn more about how you can support awareness or to find an event in your area, visit NDSS.org.